Apparatus for simultaneously fabricating plurality of wall frames

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for simultaneously fabricating more than one wall frame at a time is described. An assembly table defines a layout area having a length sufficient to accommodate a plurality of wall frames placed widthwise therealong. A pair of spaced guide rails extend longitudinally of the layout area respectively underneath the locations on the layout area for the top and bottom wall plates of the wall frames. Stops are provided at one end of the guides to define the first end of a first wall frame to be constructed on the layout area. Corner locating members ride on the guide and are positionable therealong at locations determined by the top and bottom plates of such first wall frame. Such corner elements also define corners for the first end of the next wall frame and thereby properly locate such wall frame on the layout area. Additional corner locating elements are also positionable on the guide rails to define the corners of the desired number of succeeding wall frames. The free corners of the last wall frame are defined by end wall corner locating members which are positionable by the plates of the last wall frame. Each of the end corner locating members includes a locking arrangement for securance of the same in place on its associated guide to thereby provide on the layout area a rigid assembly of wall frames for nailing.

united States Patent [191 Schneider [11] 3,811,167 1' May 21, 1974APPARATUS FOR SIMULTANEOUSLY FABRICATING PLURALITY OF WALL FRAMES [76]Inventor: Fredric H. Schneider, 4521 Merrill Ave., Oakland, Calif. 94619[22 Filed: Dec.5, 1972 21 Appl. No.: 312,302

[52] US. Cl. 29/200 P [51] Int. Cl B23p 19/00 [58] Field of Search29/200 P, 200 R, 200 B, 29/200 -J 56] References Cited UNITED STATESPATENTS 3,629,931 l2/l97l Stanley 29/200 .I X 3,714,696 2/1973 Kay20/200 P Primary Examiner-Thomas l-I. Eager Attorney, Agent, orFirm-Moore, Zimmerman & Dubb [57] ABSTRACT An apparatus forsimultaneously fabricating more than one wall frame at a time isdescribed. An assembly table defines a layout area having a lengthsufficient to accommodate a plurality of wall frames placed widthwisetherealong. A pair of spaced guide rails extend longitudinally of thelayout area respectively underneath the locations on the layout area forthe top and bottom wall plates of the wall frames. Stops are provided atone end of the guides to define the first end of a first wall frame tobe constructed on the layout area. Corner locating members ride on theguide and are positionable therealong at locations determined by the topand bottom plates of such first wall frame. Such corner elements alsodefine corners for the first end of the next wall frame and therebyproperly locate such wall frame on the layout area. Additional cornerlocating elements are also positionable on the guide rails to define thecorners of the desired number of succeeding wall frames. The freecorners of the last wall frame are defined by end wall corner locatingmembers which are positionable by the plates of the last wall frame.Each of the end corner locating members includes a locking arrangementfor securance of the same in place on its associated guide to therebyprovide on the layout area a rigid assembly of wall frames for nailing.

16 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEDMAYEI m4 JSHEEI 1 0F 3 SHEEI 3 0F 3PATENTEB MAY 2 1 I974 APPARATUS FOR SIMULTANEOUSLY FABRICATING PLURALITYOF WALL FRAMES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION costs. For example, it is nowcommon in the construction of frame apartments or tract housing toprefabricate the frames for walls and then transport the completed wallframes to their proper positions for erection, rather than assemble eachindividual wall frame in place as is ordinarily done in smallerconstruction projects. While various apparatuses, such as thosedescribed and claimed in my US. Pat. Nos. 3,491,809 and 3,680,617, havebeen designed to facilitate such prefabrication, there are still areasneeding improvement. For example, at present, wall frames are normallyprefabricated on an assembly table which must be set up separately foreach dissimilar wall. That is, the table normally includes stops and/orpositioning saddles which are placed by workmen in fixed locations onthe table for each wall type. In order to position such stops and otherpositioning members in the proper locations, the workmen ordinarily mustrefer to a set of building plans to obtain the requisite measurementsdefining the locations. Frames for the required number of such walltypes are then assembled and nailed together with the use of theprepositioned stops and other fixed positioning members. To then preparethe assembly table for prefabrication of wall frames for dissimilar walltypes, the construction workers must then move the individual stops andpositioning members to the new locations for the new wall. This changeover again requires the workers to refer to the plans for measurementsfor the new wall type.

It will be appreciated that considerable time can be spent in changingan assembly table setup for one type of wall to a setup for another.Moreover, in many instances, it is desirable to be able to fabricatevarious dissimilar wall types before all of ones of a first type areassembled. The time taken in first converting a table setup for one wallinto that for a second wall and then reconverting it back for the firstwall generally precludes such an operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides wall frameprefabrication apparatus which not only minimizes setup time but alsoenables a plurality of building wall frames to be fabricatedsimultaneously. Such simultaneous fabrication of a plurality of wallsenables the various operations to be perfonned in the assembly, such asthe nailing operation, to be done to a plurality of frames at the sametime, with consequent greater efficiency. Moreover, the wall framesassembled with the apparatus at any one time can be for dissimilarwalls, thus eliminating the necessity for setup conversion. In its basicaspects, the apparatus includes a table surface defining a layout areahaving a width at least equal to the desired height for the wall framesand a length sufficiently long to accommodate the plurality of wallframes to be assembled at one time when such wall frames are all placedwidthwise along such length. Stop means are provided at fixed locationsadjacent one end of the layout area for aligning and positioning firstends of the top and bottom wall plates for a first wall frame at theproper distance apart, to receive a wall end stud therebetween. Suchstop means also properly positions such a wall end stud for securance bynailing or the like between such plate ends.

The layout area further includes a pair of spaced, parallel guides whichrespectively extend lengthwise along the locations at which the top andbottom wall plates for the plurality of wall frames are to bepositioned. Corner locating members for the wall frames are positionablealong each of the guides for defining the corners of the wall frames. Asa particularly salient feature of the instant invention, the locatingmembers are positioned along each of the guides at locations thereondetermined by means having a length generally equal to lengths desiredfor the wall frame, thereby eliminating the necessity of positioningsuch locating members by separate measurements on the table. That is,the comer locating members are free-floating on the guides in the sensethat the guides only position them with respect to the common heights ofthe walls, and it is the plates, for example, which locate them for theproper wall length.

The intermediate corner locating members, i.e., the corner locatingmembers to be positioned between the plurality of wall frames, areadapted to position an end stud for the wall between the second ends ofthe top and bottom plates and, more importantly, are adapted on theiropposite sides to align the first ends of the plates for the next wallframe, as well as position an end stud therebetween. Thus, when theintermediate corner locating members are positioned by the plates, forexample, of the first wall frame, they automatically define the firstend corners of the next wall frame as well. Additional intermediatecorner locating members can be similarly positioned on the guides,depending on the number of wall frames to be fabricated at one time.

End wall frame comer locating members are also provided as part of theapparatus for positioning on the guides by the plates of the last wallframe to be assembled at any one time. Such end frame corner membersinclude means for locking the same in position whereby they cooperatewith the free floating intermediate corner locating members and thefixed stops at the end of the layout area in defining a fixedarrangement for simultaneously building a plurality of walls. It shouldbe noted that the wall frame components, i.e., the plates and studs, areassemblable on the layout area as part of the operation of setting upsuch area. This appreciably reduces the total amount of time involved inassemblying the wall frames. Moreover, the starting points for each ofthe separate wall frames is automatically positioned by the preceedingwall frame of the assembly. This minimizes the amount of measuring andthe like which is required.

Most desirably, the apparatus further includes slotted templates whichnot only cooperate with the corner 10- eating members in defining eachof the separate wall frames, but also position and support theintermediate studs of the wall frame. Such templates are simplyconstructed for individual walls and greatly facilitate the simultaneousassembly of each full wall frame.

The invention includes many other features and advantages which will bedescribed or will become apparent from the following more detaileddescription of a preferred embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING With reference to the accompanyingthree sheets of drawing:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of theinvention for simultaneously fabricating a plurality of building wallframes;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of that portion of the apparatus of FIG. 1encircled by the line 2-2 in FIG. 1 with some of the wall frame membersshown broken away and in phantom to expose portions of the apparatus ofthe invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of that portion of the apparatus of FIG. 1encircled by the line 33 in FIG. 1 with some of the wall frames'removedto illustrate details of the construction;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of that portion of the apparatus encircledby the line 44, of FIG. 1 illustrating the building wall studs inphantom;

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of an improved template of theapparatus of the invention; and

FIG. 6 is a partial plan view of an apparatus of the inventionillustrating a flexible template as a part thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With reference first toFIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the invention forsimultaneously fabricating a plurality of building wall frames is shownin plan and generally referred to by the reference numeral 11. Theapparatus includes a generally plane table surface 12 defining a layoutarea for the plurality of wall frames. Such layout area has a width atleast equal to the height of the wall frames to be built, e.g., wallframes 13, 14 and 16, illustrated in position on the layout area, and alength which will accommodate all of such wall frames when they areplaced widthwise therealong as shown. As will be more fully appreciatedfrom the later description, the layout area can be made of any length,depending on the number and width of the wall frames it is desired tofabricate at one time.

The apparatus further includes stop means at fixed positions adjacentone end for aligning and properly positioning the first ends of top andbottom wall plates 17 and 18 of the first wall frame to be assembled,frame 13. Such stop means is in the form of a pair of hinged anglebrackets 19 and 21. Both of such brackets are pivotable on hinges fromthe inoperative, out of the way position in which bracket 21 is shownand the operative position in which bracket 19 is shown defining thefixed locations for the ends of the wall plates. When wall frames arebeing assembled on the apparatus, both brackets are normally in theoperative position. However, they both can be pivoted to the inoperativeposition to facilitate the removal of finished wall frames from thelayout area. Y

Each of the brackets 19 and 21 includes a stop plate 22 which extendsperpendicularly upward from the layout area when the bracket with whichit is associated is in its operative position. It is these stop plates22 which provide the desired alignment of the first ends of the top andbottom wall plates. More particularly, the

. plate 22 of each of the brackets defines a substantially position awall end stud for securance between the top and bottom plates byproviding a flat surface against which the side face of the end stud,such as stud 23, is abutted.

Each of the stop means 19 and 21 is also adapted to I maintain theassociated wall plate ends in engagement with the end studs. Moreparticularly, restraints 24 and 26 respectively project from the plates22 for engagement with the outer side faces of the associated plates,i.e., that side face of each plate opposite the face adjacent the endstud. Each of such restraints is in the form of an L-shaped hook whoseshank is secured to the plate 22 and whose leg is positioned for thedesired engagement with the side face of the plate. The shank of therestraint 26 is rigidly secured to the plate 22 by welding or the like.However, the shank'of the restraint 24 is mounted on its associatedplate for both rotation and translation with respect thereto to enablethe same to be retracted in a manner and for a purpose which will bedescribed in connection with other structure of the apparatus.

As best seen from FIGS. 2-4, a pair of spaced, parallel guides in theform of inverted U-channel rails 27 and 28 extend lengthwise of thelayout area 12 respectively along the positions thereon for the top andbottom wall plates 17 and.18 of the wall frames. The upper surface ofeach of the channel rails 27 and 28 is generally planar with theremainder of the layout area surface.

The purpose of the rails 27 and 28 is to guide the positioning of theremaining elements of the apparatus which define the corners of each ofthe wall frames. More particularly, it acts to guide the positioning ofa pair of wall frame corner locating members 29 and 31 which define theremaining corners of the wall frame 13. As a particularly salientfeature of the instant invention, the guide rails 27 and 28 only definethe positioning of the corner locating members with respect to thecommonly desired height for the wall. frames. That is, such guide railsare so spaced apart that when the corner locating members are positionedon them, such corner locating members will be at an appropriate distanceapart widthwise of the table to define the normal height for wall framesin, for example, partition construction. However, the locations of thecorner locating members along the guide rails lengthwise of the table isdetermined by the wall frame members themselves or a template as will bedescribed.

As another salient feature of the instant invention, when the cornerlocating elements 29 and 31 are positioned by the first wall frame alongthe guides at the appropriate location for defining the second endcorners of such wall frame, such locating members also automaticallydefine appropriate locations on the layout area for the first corners ofthe second wall frame to be assembled thereon simultaneously with thefirst wall frame. More particularly, such corner locating members areadapted on their sides opposite the sides defining the corners for thefirst wall frame to align the first end of the plates for the next wallframe, frame 14.

Moreover, such corner locating members also act to position the endstuds for the adjacent ends of the frames 13 and 14.

For a more detailed description of the corner locating members,reference is first made to FIG. 2 which illustrates in more detailcorner locating member 31 designed to define bottom corners of the wallframes. Such corner locating member includes flanges 32 and 33 dependingdownwardly from opposite sides thereof for engagement with the sides ofthe channel rail 28. Such flange and the base of the locating memberthus cooperate with the rail 28 in providing the desired guiding of thepositioning of such locating members along the length of the layoutarea.

The means on opposite sides of the locating member for aligning andpositioning the wall plate ends includes at each side thereof, anupstanding plate 34 which delines a substantially flat surface similarto that defined by the plate 22 of the end brackets. The ends of theassociated wall plate, such as the plate 18, and the side face of theend studs, such as end stud 36, abut against the flat surface so as tobe positioned thereby.

A restraint projects from each of the upstanding plates 34 formaintaining the wall plates associated therewith in engagement with thestuds on the wall frame. More particularly, an L-shaped hook 38 similarto the hook 26 secured to the end bracket 21 has its shank secured as bywelding to the plate 34 with which it is associated. Each hook 38 is somounted to the plate 34 that its leg 38 extends longitudinally of theguide rail outwardly from the corner locating member of which it is apart for engagement with the side face of the plate opposite thatagainst which the studs are abutted. It will be noted that the leg ofeach of the hooks 38, as well as of the hooks 26, is relatively narrowso that it does not interfere with the placing of nails through theassociated plate end for fastening to the end studs.

The comer locating member 31 also includes a reinforcing strap 39 whichbridges the gap between the spaced plates 34. A hand gripping bar 41facilitating handling of the comer member projects outwardly of thelayout area from strap 39. Such locating member is thus easily removablefrom the guide rail merely by lifting the same upwardly to disengage theguide flanges 32 and 33 from such rail. This capability of removing thelocating members from the guide rail facilitates the setup of the layoutarea and the removal of finished wall frames therefrom.

The comer locating member 29 associated with the guide 17 positionedalong the top plates for the wall frames is generally similar to thelocating member 31. That is, as is best illustrated in FIG. 3, suchlocating member includes downwardly depending flanges 42 and 43 whichcooperate with the guide rail 27 in preventing motion of the locatingmember transversely of such guide. Member 29 further includes a pair ofopposed plates 44 extending upwardly from opposite sides thereofdefining surfaces for engagement with the ends of the plates and sidefaces of the end studs similar to the plates 34 of bottom cornerlocating member 31.

The restraints of the locating member 29 are similar to those oflocating member 31 in that they each are in the form of an L-shapedhook. However, such restraints are mounted for movement between theoperative position shown for hook restraint 46 to the retracted positionshown for the hook restraint 47. This v will enable the incorporation ofa doubler plate on the frame as it is being prefabricated. In thisconnection, whenever it is desired that a wall frame include a doublerplate which extends beyond the wall frame for forming an overlappingjoint with another wall frame, it is common to include the doubler plateon the frame at the time it is prefabricated.

In the majority of situations in which an overlapping doubler plate isused, the doubler plate should extend beyond the end of the wall topplate to which it is secured a distance equal to the width of the plateof the joined wall. The corner locating member 29 includes means forlocating the end of such doubler plate such a selected distance beyondthe end of the top plate. More particularly, the depending flange 42 ofthe locating member is the leg of an L-plate 49 which projects upwardlyfrom the base of the remainder of the locating member. Such platethereby defines a stop against which the end of the doubler plate 48abuts as shown in full in FIG. 1 and in phantom in FIG. 3.

It will be seen that both of the restraints of the corner locatingmembers are retractable. Moreover, the opposite upwardly projecting sidefaces of the L-plate 49 respectively provide the desired stops fordoubler plates on each of the walls. The corner locating member 29 isthus adapted to enable an overlapping doubler plate to be applied toeither of the wall frames.

In order to provide the desired retractability of the hook restraints 46and 47, the shank of each is mounted for both rotation and translationwith respect to the remainder of the locating member. More particularly,each shank extends through registering bores in the legs of anassociated U-bracket 50 which is secured to the backside of the plate 44with which the restraint is associated. The free end of the restraintshank includes limiting stops in the form of nuts 51 or the like whichprovide the proper positioning of the hook to hold the plate against thestuds when the restraint is in its operative position. A tab 52 securedto the shank adjacent the leg of each restraint facilitates rotation ofthe same to disengage such leg from the frame plate. Once the hook isfree of such frame plate, and is also clear of the locating member plate44 defining the flat surface against which such plates abuts, it can betranslated inwardly of the layout area to a location out of the way ofthe doubler plate.

As mentioned previously, the restraint 24 of the upper end stop 19includes structure permitting it also to be retracted. Although thisstructure is not shown in great detail, it is substantially the same asthat described for each of the restraints of the locating member 29, andis also for the purpose of allowing a doubler plate to be included aspart of the frame at the time it is being prefabricated.

The corner locating member 29 further includes a handle facilitating theremoval of the same from its guide 27. In the particular embodimentillustrated, such handle is in the form of a V-bracket having a leg 53which is spaced from the remainder of the locating member to facilitategrasping.

It will be seen that the comer locating members 29 and 31 define notonly the second ends of the first wall frame 13, but also properlyposition the first ends of the second wall frame 14. Additional comerlocating members 29 and 31 are respectively associated with the guide 17and 18 to define the second corners of the wall frame 14 and the firstcomers of the third wall frame 16. It will be appreciated although threewall frames are depicted, less or more of such corner locating memberscan be included on the guide, as space permits, to allow thesimultaneous fabrication of any desired number of wall frames.

The apparatus also includes a pair of end wall frame corner locatingmembers 56 and 57 for defining the end corners of the last wall frame tobe fabricated at any one time on the layout area. Such end wall cornerlocating members are basically the same at the other corner locatingmembers except that they each define a flat surface and a restraint ononly one side. More particularly, each includes only one upstandingplate 58 defining a flat surface against which the second end of theframe plate and end stud side face of the last frame is abutted. As bestillustrated in FIG. 4, the restraint of the upper end corner locatingmember 56, i.e., the one associated with guide rail 27, is mounted forretraction in the same manner as the two restraints of locating member29. Thus a double plate can also be applied to the last wall frame asdesired. An upstanding flange 59 on the member 56 provides a stop forthe end of such a doubler plate which is to be an overlapping one.

As an important aspect of the end wall corner locating members 56 and57, each includes means for locking the same on the guide at a locationdefining the corner of the last wall frame. Such means is most simply anarrangement for drawing together the flanges 61 on the opposite sides ofthe channel 27 to thereby grip such channel. That is, the flange 61 ispositioned in a track 63 for translation toward and away from theflanges 62. A rod 64 secured to the flange 61 extends longitudinally ofthe track through an end wall 66 thereof and has its free end threadedso as to receive a wing nut 67 or the like. It will be appreciated thattotation of the wing nut in a tightening direction on the rod end inbearing engagement with the end wall 66 will draw the flange 61 towardthe flanges 62 to provide the desired locking engagement.

Preferably, the apparatus of the invention further includes means forsignifying selected positions for intermediate studs in each of the wallframes 13 through 16. Most desirably, such means is in the form oftemplates which not only signify the positions for the studs, but alsosupport such studs for securance between the top and bottom plates. Tothis end, the layout area respectively includes a pair of recesses 68and 69 extending the intermediate studs of the frame corresponding tosuch template. Each of such slots extends downwardly to the plane of thelayout area when the template is within its associated recess, and has awidth generally equal to the width of an intermediate stud so that sucha stud can be inserted therein. The result is that the template will actto not only position the stud at the proper location, but also supportit as desired in the proper orientation for securance between the topand bottom plates.

Each of the templates 71 and 72 has a length which is generally equal tothe width of the wall frame for which it is prepared. Thus, suchtemplates are useable instead of the wall plates to position the cornerlocating members at the proper locations on their guides. In thisconnection, the inner depending flanges 32, 43 and 62 of the respectivecorner locating members extend into the recess associated with the guiderail on which they are respectively mounted. Such flanges act aspositioning projections which engage the ends of the templates so thatsuch templates will provide the proper position ing of the cornerlocating members. It will be noted that the ends of each of thetemplates include relieved portions in the form of a removed notchwhich, as is best illustrated by the arrangement shown in FIG. 4,cooperate with the comer locating member against which it is abutted inproviding support for the end stud of the frame.

Although the templates 71 and 72 can be made of wood, it is sometimesdesirable to have a more permanent' template if the wall framerepresented thereby is one which is to be duplicated many times. FIG. 5illustrates such a more permanent template. The template, generallyreferred to by the reference numeral 76 is made of a metal, such asaluminum, and includes a score line 77 which extends along its lengthgenerally at or below the plane of the layout area when the template isseated in its associated recess. Such template can then be simply madeto correspond to a desired wall frame by being cut to length and thenhaving the side edges of the notches 78 cut therein to the location ofthe score line. The score line facilitates the removal of such sectionsby permitting the same to be simply knocked out without requiring anycutting longitudinal of the template.

The simplicity-and quickness by which the apparatus of the inventionenables a layout area to be setup for the simultaneous fabrication of aplurality of walls should be readily apparent. For such a setup, it isnecessary only to first assure that the end stops 19 and 21 are in theiroperative positions, insert the templates for the wall frame 13 in theirrecesses, and then place the corner locating members 29 and 31 in theproper location on the guides determined by the templates. Additionaltemplates and comer locating members are similarly added to the layoutarea for the next wall. The end corner locating members 56 and 57 arethen placed into position against the end of the last template andlocked into position. it is then a simple matter to drop the plates andstuds into position and nail the assemblies together to provide thefinished wall frames. Such wall frames can then be simply removed fromthe layout area by pivoting the end stops out of the way, unlocking theend wall corner locating members, and removing all of such cornerlocating members so that a flat surface from which the wall frames canbe slid is present.

As mentioned previously, although it is desirable that templates be usedin combination with the remainder of the apparatus to facilitate theassembly of the intermediate studs in the frames, this is not necessary.When such templates are not used, the wall plates themselves are used toposition the corner locating members. That is, the wall plates for thefirst wall frame, such as wall frame 13, are placed on the layout areain engagement with the end stops 19 and 21. This will automaticallyposition the corner locating members at the proper locations for thesecond ends of the wall, as well as position the same for defining thefirst ends of the second wall frame. The top plates of the second wallframes can then be similarly placed on the layout area to define thesecond set of corner locating members, etc.

When slotted templates are not utilized as part of the combination, itis still desirable to include means for signifying the location of theintermediate studs for the wall frames. Such means can simply be markson the plates as are commonly placed on them. In addition, FIG. 6illustrates a manner in which a flexible template, such as the flexibletemplate described in my US. Pat. No. 3,680,617, can be utilized forthis purpose. Such a tape template, referred to by the reference numeral81 is simply placed longitudinally of the layout area inwardly adjacentthe depicted bottom guide rail 28. Most desirably, a flexible templatewith identical markings is applied longitudinally of the layout areainwardly along the top guide rail 27 as well. It will be appreciatedthat when such markings are applied on the flexible templates, one musttaken into consideration the width of the corner locating members sothat such markings will properly reflect the spacing between adjacentwall frames on the layout area.

Except for the deletion of the notched template and the inclusion of theflexible template 81, the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 6 isidentical to the embodiment described in connection with FIGS. 1-5.Details of former embodiments are therefore omitted.

While the invention has been described with respect to preferredembodiments, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes and modifications can be made. It is therefore intendedthat the coverage afforded applicant be limited only by the claims andtheir equivalents.

I claim:

1. Apparatus for simultaneously fabricating a plurality of building wallframes comprising a table surface defining a layout area having a widthdimension at least equal to the desired height for said wall frames anda length dimension accommodating a plurality of said wall frames placedwidthwise therealong, stop means defining fixed positions adjacent oneend of said layout area for aligning in spaced relationshipcorresponding first ends of top and bottom wall plates for a first wallframe and properly positioning a wall end stud to be secured betweensaid top and bottom wall plates, a pair of spaced, parallel guidesextending lengthwise of said layout area respectively along thepositions thereon for the top and bottom wall plates of said pluralityof wall frames, a pair of wall frame comer locating members positionablerespectively along each of said guides at locations thereon determinedby means having a length generally equal to the length desired for saidfirst wall frame, each of said comer locating members being adapted toposition a wall end stud between the second ends of said top and bottomwall plates to be secured between said top and bottom wall plates andbeing adapted on the opposite side thereof to align in spacedrelationship corresponding first ends of top and bottom wall plates fora second wall frame and to properly position a wall end stud to besecured between said top and bottom wall plates for a second wall frame,and a pair of end wall frame corner locating members positionablerespectively along each of said guides at locations thereon determinedby means having a length generally equal to the length desired for saidsecond wall frame, each of said end wall corner locating members havingmeans for locking same in said location and being adapted to position awall end stud between the second ends of said top and bottom plates forsaid second wall frame to be secured between said top and bottom platesfor said second wall frame.

2. The apparatus for simultaneously fabricating a plurality of buildingwall frames of claim I wherein each of said stop means and comerlocating members defines a substantially flat surface against which boththe end of the associated wall plate and the side face of the associatedend stud abut, and from which a restraint projects for engagement withthe side face of said plate opposite the face thereof adjacent the end.stud to thereby hold said plate against the end of said stud.

3. The apparatus for simultaneously fabricating a plurality of buildingwall frames of claim 2 wherein the restraint of each of the stop meansand corner locating members associated with the one of said guidesextending along the position on said layout area for top plates of saidwall frames is retractable from its engaging position with said sideface of said top plate to allow a doubler plate to be placed inengagement with said side face, each of said stop means and cornerlocating members associated with said top plate guide further includinga stop for locating the end of such a doubler plate a preselecteddistance beyond the end of said top plate.

4. The apparatus for simultaneously fabricating a plurality of wallframes of claim 1 wherein said means having lengths generally equal tothe lengths desired for said first and second wall frames arerespectively the plates for said first and second wall frames.

5. The apparatus for simultaneously fabricating a plurality of buildingwall frames of claim 1 further including means for signifying selectedpositions for intermediate studs between the end studs of each of saidwall frames.

6. The apparatus for simultaneously fabricating a plurality of buildingwall frames of claim 5 wherein said layout area includes a pair ofrecesses extending lengthwise of said layout area respectively along theinner sides of said guides, and said means for signifying selectedpositions for intermediate studs between end studs is for each of saidwall frames a pair of templates seatable respectively in said pair ofrecesses to generally extend above the plane of said layout area, eachof said templates having a plurality of slots positioned along thelength of said template at the selected positions for said intermediatestuds and extending downwardly to the plane of said layout area, each ofsaid slots having a width accommodating an intermediate stud andsupporting same at the selected position signified thereby, whereby saidtemplates both signify the positions for said intermediate studs andsupport said studs to be secured between said top and bottom plates.

7. The apparatus for simultaneously fabricating a plurality of buildingwall frames of claim 6 wherein each of said stop means and cornerlocating members in cludes a positioning projection extending into therecess associated with its guide for positioning engagement with thetemplate associated therewith, each of said templates having a relievedportion adjacent'its associated stop means or corner locating memberproviding with said stop means or corner locating member a positioningslot for a wall end stud.

8. The apparatus for simultaneously fabricating a plurality of buildingwall frames of claim 6 wherein each of said templates is a metal barhaving a score line extending longitudinally thereof generally at orbelow the plane of said layout area when said template: is seated in itsassociated recess for facilitating the removal of sections thereof inproviding said slots therein for positioning and supporting saidintermediate wall studs.

9. The apparatus for simultaneously fabricating a plurality of buildingwall frames of claim wherein said means for signifying selectedpositions for intermediate studs includes a flexible template located onsaid layout area between said guides and extending parallel thereto,which flexible template includes markings along its length signifyingsaid positions at which said intermediate studs are to extend betweensaid top and bottom plates.

10. The apparatus for simultaneously fabricating a plurality of buildingwall frames of claim 11 wherein each of said guides is in the form of achannel rail extending lengthwise of said layout area, and the cornerlocating members associated therewith are slideable therealong forpositioning at any location thereon determined by said means having alength generally equal to the length respectively desired for said firstand second wall frames.

11. The apparatus for simultaneously fabricating a plurality of buildingwall frames of claim 10 wherein each of said corner locating membersincludes flanges depending downwardly from opposite sides thereof forengagement with the sides of said channel rail to provide said guidingthereof on said channel rail.

12. The apparatus for simultaneously fabricating a plurality of buildingwall frames of claim 11 wherein each of said corner locating members isremoveable from said guide rail to facilitate the removal of finishedwall frames from said layout area.

13. The apparatus for simultaneously fabricating a plurality of buildingwall frames of claim 11 wherein the means of each of said end wallcorner locating members for locking said member in said location on saidguide rail includes means for drawing said depending flanges on oppositesides thereof toward one another to grip said channel therebetween.

14. The apparatus for simultaneously fabricating a plurality of buildingwall frames of claim 11 wherein each of said stop means and comerlocating members defines a substantially flat surface against which boththe end of the associated wall plate and the side face of the associatedend stud abut, and from which a restraint projects for engagement withthe side face of said plate opposite the face thereof adjacent the endstud to thereby hold said plate against the end of said stud.

15. The apparatus for simultaneously fabricating a plurality of buildingwall frames of claim 14 wherein the restraint of each of the stop meansand comer locating members associated with the one of said guidesextending along the position on said layout area for top plates of saidwall frames is retractable from its engaging position with said sideface of said top plate to allow a doubler plate to be placed inengagement with said side face, each of said stop means and cornerlocating members associated with said top plate guide further includinga stop for locating the end of such a doubler plate a preselecteddistance beyond the end of said top plate.

16. The apparatus for simultaneously fabricating a plurality of buildingwall frames of claim 15 wherein each of said retractable restraints isin the form of an L-shaped hook having the leg portion thereofpositioned for said engagement with said side face of said plate, theshank of said hook being mounted for both rotation and translation withrespect to the remainder of said stop means or corner locating member ofwhich said restraint is a part, whereby retraction of said leg portionfrom said stud side face is effected by rotation of said hook todisengage said leg from said face and consequent translation of saidhook to position said leg free of the location of a doubler plateengaging said side face and extending a preselected distance beyond theend of said top plate.

1. Apparatus for simultaneously fabricating a plurality of building wallframes comprising a table surface defining a layout area having a widthdimension at least equal to the desired height for said wall frames anda length dimension accommodating a plurality of said wall frames placedwidthwise therealong, stop means defining fixed positions adjacent oneend of said layout area for aligning in spaced relationshipcorresponding first ends of top and bottom wall plates for a first wallframe and properly positioning a wall end stud to be secured betweensaid top and bottom wall plates, a pair of spaced, parallel guidesextending lengthwise of said layout area respectively along thepositions thereon for thE top and bottom wall plates of said pluralityof wall frames, a pair of wall frame corner locating memberspositionable respectively along each of said guides at locations thereondetermined by means having a length generally equal to the lengthdesired for said first wall frame, each of said corner locating membersbeing adapted to position a wall end stud between the second ends ofsaid top and bottom wall plates to be secured between said top andbottom wall plates and being adapted on the opposite side thereof toalign in spaced relationship corresponding first ends of top and bottomwall plates for a second wall frame and to properly position a wall endstud to be secured between said top and bottom wall plates for a secondwall frame, and a pair of end wall frame corner locating memberspositionable respectively along each of said guides at locations thereondetermined by means having a length generally equal to the lengthdesired for said second wall frame, each of said end wall cornerlocating members having means for locking same in said location andbeing adapted to position a wall end stud between the second ends ofsaid top and bottom plates for said second wall frame to be securedbetween said top and bottom plates for said second wall frame.
 2. Theapparatus for simultaneously fabricating a plurality of building wallframes of claim 1 wherein each of said stop means and corner locatingmembers defines a substantially flat surface against which both the endof the associated wall plate and the side face of the associated endstud abut, and from which a restraint projects for engagement with theside face of said plate opposite the face thereof adjacent the end studto thereby hold said plate against the end of said stud.
 3. Theapparatus for simultaneously fabricating a plurality of building wallframes of claim 2 wherein the restraint of each of the stop means andcorner locating members associated with the one of said guides extendingalong the position on said layout area for top plates of said wallframes is retractable from its engaging position with said side face ofsaid top plate to allow a doubler plate to be placed in engagement withsaid side face, each of said stop means and corner locating membersassociated with said top plate guide further including a stop forlocating the end of such a doubler plate a preselected distance beyondthe end of said top plate.
 4. The apparatus for simultaneouslyfabricating a plurality of wall frames of claim 1 wherein said meanshaving lengths generally equal to the lengths desired for said first andsecond wall frames are respectively the plates for said first and secondwall frames.
 5. The apparatus for simultaneously fabricating a pluralityof building wall frames of claim 1 further including means forsignifying selected positions for intermediate studs between the endstuds of each of said wall frames.
 6. The apparatus for simultaneouslyfabricating a plurality of building wall frames of claim 5 wherein saidlayout area includes a pair of recesses extending lengthwise of saidlayout area respectively along the inner sides of said guides, and saidmeans for signifying selected positions for intermediate studs betweenend studs is for each of said wall frames a pair of templates seatablerespectively in said pair of recesses to generally extend above theplane of said layout area, each of said templates having a plurality ofslots positioned along the length of said template at the selectedpositions for said intermediate studs and extending downwardly to theplane of said layout area, each of said slots having a widthaccommodating an intermediate stud and supporting same at the selectedposition signified thereby, whereby said templates both signify thepositions for said intermediate studs and support said studs to besecured between said top and bottom plates.
 7. The apparatus forsimultaneously fabricating a plurality of building wall frames of claim6 wherein each of said stop means and coRner locating members includes apositioning projection extending into the recess associated with itsguide for positioning engagement with the template associated therewith,each of said templates having a relieved portion adjacent its associatedstop means or corner locating member providing with said stop means orcorner locating member a positioning slot for a wall end stud.
 8. Theapparatus for simultaneously fabricating a plurality of building wallframes of claim 6 wherein each of said templates is a metal bar having ascore line extending longitudinally thereof generally at or below theplane of said layout area when said template is seated in its associatedrecess for facilitating the removal of sections thereof in providingsaid slots therein for positioning and supporting said intermediate wallstuds.
 9. The apparatus for simultaneously fabricating a plurality ofbuilding wall frames of claim 5 wherein said means for signifyingselected positions for intermediate studs includes a flexible templatelocated on said layout area between said guides and extending parallelthereto, which flexible template includes markings along its lengthsignifying said positions at which said intermediate studs are to extendbetween said top and bottom plates.
 10. The apparatus for simultaneouslyfabricating a plurality of building wall frames of claim 1 wherein eachof said guides is in the form of a channel rail extending lengthwise ofsaid layout area, and the corner locating members associated therewithare slideable therealong for positioning at any location thereondetermined by said means having a length generally equal to the lengthrespectively desired for said first and second wall frames.
 11. Theapparatus for simultaneously fabricating a plurality of building wallframes of claim 10 wherein each of said corner locating members includesflanges depending downwardly from opposite sides thereof for engagementwith the sides of said channel rail to provide said guiding thereof onsaid channel rail.
 12. The apparatus for simultaneously fabricating aplurality of building wall frames of claim 11 wherein each of saidcorner locating members is removeable from said guide rail to facilitatethe removal of finished wall frames from said layout area.
 13. Theapparatus for simultaneously fabricating a plurality of building wallframes of claim 11 wherein the means of each of said end wall cornerlocating members for locking said member in said location on said guiderail includes means for drawing said depending flanges on opposite sidesthereof toward one another to grip said channel therebetween.
 14. Theapparatus for simultaneously fabricating a plurality of building wallframes of claim 11 wherein each of said stop means and corner locatingmembers defines a substantially flat surface against which both the endof the associated wall plate and the side face of the associated endstud abut, and from which a restraint projects for engagement with theside face of said plate opposite the face thereof adjacent the end studto thereby hold said plate against the end of said stud.
 15. Theapparatus for simultaneously fabricating a plurality of building wallframes of claim 14 wherein the restraint of each of the stop means andcorner locating members associated with the one of said guides extendingalong the position on said layout area for top plates of said wallframes is retractable from its engaging position with said side face ofsaid top plate to allow a doubler plate to be placed in engagement withsaid side face, each of said stop means and corner locating membersassociated with said top plate guide further including a stop forlocating the end of such a doubler plate a preselected distance beyondthe end of said top plate.
 16. The apparatus for simultaneouslyfabricating a plurality of building wall frames of claim 15 wherein eachof said retractable restraints is in the form of an L-shaped hook havingthe leg portion thereof positioned for said eNgagement with said sideface of said plate, the shank of said hook being mounted for bothrotation and translation with respect to the remainder of said stopmeans or corner locating member of which said restraint is a part,whereby retraction of said leg portion from said stud side face iseffected by rotation of said hook to disengage said leg from said faceand consequent translation of said hook to position said leg free of thelocation of a doubler plate engaging said side face and extending apreselected distance beyond the end of said top plate.